Program Leaders: Professor Rodney Scott and Professor Pablo Moscato, The University of Newcastle
Researchers, students and support staff: 50
The HMRI Information Based Medicine Program is paving the way for a personalised approach to health care, informing the development of patient-tailored treatment to a host of diseases which are influenced by genetic aspects.
Researchers are utilising computer technology and mathematical methods to extract meaningful information from vast amounts of clinical and molecular data to identify disease-related genetic patterns.
The Program draws together the disciplines of bioinformatics, and molecular and genetic analysis with clinical information and population data analysis, helping life scientists to identify patterns in individuals that can be used to predict the risk of disease and the likely response to different treatments.
Researchers in the Information Based Medicine Program are currently focussed on:
- Developing mathematical models based on Information Theory for Biomarker Discovery
- Identification of molecular markers associated with cancers, Alzheimer’s disease, Multiple Sclerosis, macular degeneration and stroke
- Genetics of susceptibility to infection in SIDS, indigenous health and elite athletes
- Functional brain imaging in stroke and schizophrenia
- Mathematical models to improve radiation treatments for cancers
HMRI is one of only two sites in Australia where core basic research in bioinformatics is linked directly with clinical research practice.
Many researchers are also members of other HMRI Research Programs, creating unique research synergies and collaborations. The Information Based Medicine Program has many members who are affiliated with the University’s Priority Research Centre in Bioinformatics, Biomarker Discovery and Information-Based Medicine, and also incorporates:
- NBN Telethon Fellowship in Children’s Cancer
- Australian Research Council Centre for Excellence in Bioinformatics
- HMRI Medical Physics Research Unit
- HMRI Clinical Trials Support Unit
The HMRI Clinical Trials Support Unit provides researchers with assistance in research design, data file management, statistical support and data linkage, and has expanded to include the services of two new Health Research Economists.
